GUEST COLUMN: Trump-Putin summit could be important moment for Ukraine

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (left) and U.S. President Donald Trump are set to hold a summit in Helsinki, Finland on Monday. This historic encounter is an opportunity for President Donald Trump to discuss the Ukraine situation by enforcing the brakes on Russian aggression and further expansionism into Ukraine.SAUL LOEB / AFP/Getty Images

Four years have gone by since former president Viktor Yanokowych was banished from Ukraine. In March of 2014, Crimea was illegally annexed by Russia. Then in April of the same year Russian separatists invaded eastern Ukraine, the Donetsk and Luhansk region. In July of 2014, the downing of Malaysia Airline by pro-Russian rebels on Ukrainian soil. These events have played an important role in Ukraine’s struggle to defend its sovereignty.

Before 2014, the Orange Revolution of 2004, the mass protest which forced the rerun of a fraudulent presidential election and this was the time that held Ukraine from signing a historical deal with the European Union; preventing Ukraine to engage and conduct a free economic condition within its border.

One of the major incidents that occurred four years ago was the Malaysia Airline Boeing disaster. An airline with over 200 people was blown out of the sky in the Russian occupied area of eastern Ukraine by a Russian made missile. To this date, Vladimir Putin claims that Ukraine was to blame for the incident, since it occurred over Ukraine’s airspace. Question. What penalty did nations imposed onto Russia for downing the Malaysia Airline? Basically, nothing of any magnitude. Question. What nation or nations challenged Russia before the end of 2014 for the maneuverer and invasion of Ukraine.? Again, there was no challenge, only a handful of European nations did formulize the Minsk ceasefire agreement.

Ukraine has been divided between a degree of national consciousness and a sense of identity erased by genocide. Ukraine wishes to preserve its native heritage and implement many democratic values that the western world demands. Ukraine stands at a crossroad, confused and alone.

This eastern European country must grow and reform itself economically, being indispensable to political and national survival. What is required? A withdrawal of pro-Russians from Ukraine, an international monitoring force in palace to observe the Minsk agreement. There must be continuous western influence so that Ukraine can recover and become an active member of NATO and the European Union.

Since 2014, Ukraine is totally devastated and has been isolated to achieve peace within its own borders. There must be a follow-through to hold stability and the possibility of a prosperous Ukraine. Due to the stagnation and lack of assistance from foreign major countries, probably it is time for Ukraine to step up to the plate and restore that confidence so that sovereignty becomes an internal and external mechanism. There must be a withdrawal of heavy weapons by pro-Russians from eastern Ukraine.

After 27 years of independence, it seems that Ukraine is still struggling to break out of Russia’s orbit and transform itself into a genuinely self-reliant, democratic prosperous state. Ukraine cannot continuously keep sacrificing its statehood and cannot return to Russia’s imperial fold.

To change any situation in Ukraine there still might be hope. There is a degree of opportunity and optimism. A possible potential moment of diplomacy is on the horizon. What is required? A stabilized far-sighted strategy meeting must take place to prevent any further catastrophic consequences to Ukraine.

Fortunately, a summit meeting is scheduled for Monday in Helsinki, Finland between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. This historic encounter is an opportunity for President Donald Trump to discuss the Ukraine situation by enforcing the brakes on Russian aggression and further expansionism into Ukraine. This summit could be an important moment for Ukraine, a possible diplomatic solution, restoring confidence and resolution for all players involved in the quest for world peace, eventually the outcome will be seen.

Peter J. Manastyrsky is a member of the Ukrainian community in Winnipeg.

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